Roy Mitri

This week’s student feature Friday is Roy Mitri who is currently a student at Holliston High School receiving post-graduate services. Roy has been developing many skills throughout his time at HHS and has found a strong passion for cooking. He has earned his ServSafe Food Handler Certificate, Food Equipment and Safety Training Certificate (Feast) and Mass Food Allergen Certificate. Roy just recently accepted his first paying job at Bertucci’s, working in the kitchen washing dishes and is looking forward to developing his role as an integral member of the team. In addition to working at Bertucci’s, he works at the Residence at Valley Farm, an independent Living, assisted Living & reflections memory care facility, Framingham Union and TC Scoops.

Roy has worked hard to find ways to get to work without a license and has found the MWRTA, which he takes to and from the Residence, so he doesn’t have to rely on his family and friends. He enjoys working at the Residence because of the cooking he is able to do but more so because of the people he works with and the sense of accomplishment he feels from the work.

Q: What is your favorite thing about cooking or working in kitchens?

A: I really enjoy working in a kitchen. I do lots of different things. Sometimes I work with food. Sometimes I do the dishes. I like it all. It is hard to pick a favorite thing. I like making things. I did a cooking class last spring and it was really fun. I learned a lot of new things about cooking and being safe in a kitchen.

Q: What skills did you have to practice in order to be able to take the MTWRA bus by yourself to the Residence?

A: I had to know when to get to the bus stop, what stop I was getting on at, and what stop I was getting off at. I also need to know when to pull the cord to signal to the bus driver that I am getting off. We looked over the MWRTA schedule a lot to practice. I also practiced riding the MWRTA with teachers before, and pulling the cord, but I like riding by myself. Another skill I had to learn was to use the alarm on my phone so that I knew when I needed to stop working and walk to the bus stop.

Q: You recently were able to get your first paying job at Bertucci’s. What was the job interview like? What did you do to prepare to meet with the manager and what type of responsibilities to your have in your new position?

A: I met with Nick. He asked me questions and showed me around Bertucci’s. I practiced going over interview questions with Mrs. King and Heidi from the Metrowest Center for Independent Living. We practiced questions about where I had volunteered earlier, what certificates I have for the kitchen, when I can work, and what experiences I have. In my job I wash the dishes and the roll silverware.

Q: You clearly love working in kitchens. What advice do you have for other students who haven’t found something that they love to do yet?

A: I would tell them keep on trying new things until they find something they like.